гладиатор (от слова гладить)

English translation: ... gone from vigorous to viagorous

16:02 Feb 9, 2021
Russian to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature
Russian term or phrase: гладиатор (от слова гладить)
From a memoir:

По достижении лет пятидесяти большинство моих друзей и знакомых мужского пола перешли в разряд гладиаторов (от слова гладить), меня в 67 лет ещё волнует эпизодическая несговорчивость супруги.

I'm assuming that it's a reference to this:
https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Дело_гладиаторов

My take on it is that his friends are going to prostitutes and/or cheating on their wives with younger women. Any creative ideas on how to phrase it would be greatly appreciated!
tatyana000
Local time: 21:28
English translation:... gone from vigorous to viagorous
Explanation:
This gladiator/gladit double entendre is abundantly clear to any native Russian speaker, regardless of its connection to that Khrushchev era scandal you've mentioned (I, for one, have never heard of it and had to go click on that link to see what it was all about; it makes one wonder what else they conveniently forgot to tell us:))). On the other hand, it makes no sense whatsoever to an English speaker, so I am with Mikhail on this: there is no point in even trying to preserve that particular play on words. You need something totally organic to English to make sure this joke doesn't become a hopeless dud. You know, use those lemons to make lemonade rather than rye kvas or something:)

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Note added at 45 mins (2021-02-09 16:47:13 GMT)
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Oh, and your take on it, i.e. "that his friends are going to prostitutes and/or cheating on their wives with younger women" is totally off. It's exactly the other way around. It's more like what Mikhail is saying - they would if they could, but they can't.

Coincidentally, as one of those 50+ men the author so dismissively writes off, I say he is full of hot gas. We are still going strong:) and he'd do himself a favor remembering that old joke: don't flatter yourself, come closer:)
Selected response from:

The Misha
Local time: 15:28
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +3... gone from vigorous to viagorous
The Misha


Discussion entries: 4





  

Answers


33 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
... gone from vigorous to viagorous


Explanation:
This gladiator/gladit double entendre is abundantly clear to any native Russian speaker, regardless of its connection to that Khrushchev era scandal you've mentioned (I, for one, have never heard of it and had to go click on that link to see what it was all about; it makes one wonder what else they conveniently forgot to tell us:))). On the other hand, it makes no sense whatsoever to an English speaker, so I am with Mikhail on this: there is no point in even trying to preserve that particular play on words. You need something totally organic to English to make sure this joke doesn't become a hopeless dud. You know, use those lemons to make lemonade rather than rye kvas or something:)

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 45 mins (2021-02-09 16:47:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Oh, and your take on it, i.e. "that his friends are going to prostitutes and/or cheating on their wives with younger women" is totally off. It's exactly the other way around. It's more like what Mikhail is saying - they would if they could, but they can't.

Coincidentally, as one of those 50+ men the author so dismissively writes off, I say he is full of hot gas. We are still going strong:) and he'd do himself a favor remembering that old joke: don't flatter yourself, come closer:)

The Misha
Local time: 15:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian
PRO pts in category: 96
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.
Notes to answerer
Asker: Ha! That made me crack a smile!

Asker: Thank you very much!


Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Mikhail Kropotov: It wasn't abundantly clear to the asker though
4 mins
  -> Well, my understanding is the asker is a natural born American, that's why. Thanks, Mikhail.

agree  Oleg Lozinskiy
27 mins

agree  Frank Szmulowicz, Ph. D.
9 hrs
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